How to Get More Boudoir Photography Sales Without Being Pushy
Early on in my boudoir photography career, I avoided photography sales sessions like the plague! I did not like the idea of selling and was always so nervous about being too “salesy.” I can’t tell you how many times I sat there wishing my work would just sell itself so I wouldn’t have to pitch it.
Initially, my $100 sessions barely paid for my gas to get to the session location and back. That’s not even considering my time on all the backend tasks, like client communication and editing! I wasn’t really making any money.
Thankfully, over time, I was able to learn how to get more boudoir photography sales without having to be pushy.
And because I know tons of other photographers felt this way early in their careers, I want to give you a few tips that have helped me out. After reading this, you’ll know exactly how to make money without sounding like a used car salesman.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Tip #1: Believe in the Products You’re Selling.
Here’s something I knew about myself when I started photography…I’m not a good saleswoman UNLESS I fully believe in what I’m offering.
I was one of the top sellers in my dental office (many dental offices give hygienists commissions for selling certain toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.). And I did well because I had seen how these products worked and could vouch for them.
I believed in them. And I can sell to clients now because I truly believe in the quality of my work.
If you want to feel less salesy during your ordering sessions, then you need to believe in yourself and what you’re selling, too!
The products you sell are way more than just the printed photo itself. It’s about the memories you’re creating. Your clients want these prints for the lifetime of memories you provide them. It’s not just a piece of paper.
Your work is worth so much more than that. You’re charging for your art, your talent, THEIR memories that you took the time to create FOR them, plus the QUALITY you’re providing that they can’t get at a consumer photography lab.
Believe in what you’re offering. This will make ALL the difference.
Tip #2: Create a Price List That Sells For You
Creating a price list for my clients was one of the best decisions I ever made in my business. I didn’t have to negotiate what my work was worth, the prices were just right there for them to see. And they could make the decision of what they wanted to buy themselves.
But to figure this out, you need to know what your sales average goal is. A goal that actually helps you meet and exceed want you want to make. You can calculate this by finding out the total revenue you need to pay yourself plus how many clients your schedule can handle. (P.S. — I cover more of this in episode 24!).
And when you put it all together, don’t just guide them to the minimum.
As in, don’t make that the biggest thing on your pricing list. For a while, that consistent revenue may be nice, but eventually you’re going to want to make more money. You have big dreams and you deserve to live them! So don’t be shy about showcasing those higher-priced packages.
Tip #3: Go Into Every Sales Session With Confidence
I know this sounds so cliche, but confidence is the single most important thing you can have when selling. In yourself and like I mentioned earlier, in the product you’re selling. Because if you’re not confident, the client won’t be either!
Now, confidence comes with time. You likely won’t be heading into your first session feeling like you can take on the world. I get that.
BUT, I do truly believe confidence comes with preparation.
If you fully prepare for your next ordering session, then you’ll feel more confident than you feel right now. Practice on yourself, your husband, your friend, your kids, even your dog! Practice the way you’re running your ordering session over and over again before you actually do it.
You’ll feel so much better at the ordering session if you prepare because you know exactly what needs to happen and when. You won’t ever have to guess!
It’s Time to Build Out Your Own Pricing List!
The main thing to remember is that you’re a business, and you need to make money to keep that business around. So have sales goals. Get that onto a pricing list. And act confident, even if you aren’t, like the amazing business owner you are!
If you want a little help creating that pricing list so you can head into your next session with confidence? Check out my TLC Pricing Guide Canva Template.
There’s a lot more to designing your pricing template than just throwing up some numbers on a sheet and sending it to your clients. So this high-converting, easy-to-use, Canva template helps you design a pricing guide based on sales psychology so you can easily hit those $2K, $3K, $7K, and even $10K sales!
Tracy Lynn is a boudoir photogapher for brides-to-be in the St. Louis area, and a mentor + coach for photographers looking to level up their businesses with better systems and processes.
